5-1 Discussion_ Ethics in Advertising and Media
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Southern New Hampshire University *
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100-X2118
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Philosophy
Date
Dec 6, 2023
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docx
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Uploaded by inaovalles
Briefly describe the ethical issue, challenge, or dilemma in the case study.
In this study, we examine different kidnapped or sexually assaulted minors whose names were
made public by the media. There is an ethical question regarding whether these minors should
be questioned about the specifics of their experience as well as whether their names should
have been made public after they were rescued.
Question: Should children who are thought to be the victims of sexual abuse ever be named in
the media? What should be done about the continued use of names of kidnap victims who are
later found to be sexual assault victims? Should use of their names be discontinued at that
point?
It is very important for journalists, reporters, editors, producers, and others to balance the desire
to tell the whole story in order to gain attention and outperform other news organizations with
the possibility of causing further harm to already victimized minors. According to the Society of
Professional Journalists (SPJ) code of ethics, journalists should "minimize harm" and seek and
report the truth. Since every situation is unique, journalists may take either decision and still
uphold its principles. In every case, a journalist could choose either course while remaining true
to the SPJ code of ethics. Identifying the child while withholding detailed information about their
harm might be the wisest course of action in some circumstances, while in other cases it is best
to respect the privacy of the child, since it would not be in the public interest to disclose the
child's identity urgently. It is important that they stay true to professional ethics, not simply to be
first with a detail in order to increase ratings or circulation. It is imperative that journalists
carefully consider their own motives before making any decisions. It has been argued, however,
that the stigma attached to being a sexual assault victim will not diminish until more victims are
named, so news media should publish the names of victims. In some cases, telling a child's
story heals them, while it increases their trauma, so I feel caution should be taken when asking
these children questions so that they do not feel traumatized by the whole ordeal being
recreated in their heads. Media outlets should avoid identifying victims in high profile crimes
unless the victims are willing to speak publicly. When issues like this occur, parents have the
responsibility of protecting their children's mental and emotional well-being rather than just
putting their children out there to tell the story. Should a child grow up to see a sexual assault
story about themselves in the future, it may have an adverse effect on their self-esteem.
https://ethics.journalists.org/topics/withholding-names-and-information/#:~:text=The%20general
%20belief%20is%20that,is%20willing%20to%20speak%20publicly.
https://www.spj.org/ecs11.asp
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